Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: pushyhog on June 16, 2005, 09:20:42 PM
Title: add extra comm antenna
Post by: pushyhog on June 16, 2005, 09:20:42 PM
want extra comm antenna, some neat one's in spruce catalog for composite airplanes, want one on the belly handing down (cessna type), need some kind of ground plane. been long time since i built lancair, have almost forgot about roll of copper tape,terroid's,glue,cable.soider gun,etc.. some ideas
N-8WA fayetteville,fort bragg,pope A.F.B. North Carolina vari-eze 1990
Title: comm antenna
Post by: Bruce Hughes on June 18, 2005, 08:00:05 AM
Hi.
The dipole antenna does not need a ground plane. There is room inside the vertical stabilizer for the dipole. You have 2 vertical stabilizers......
You don't need to buy a dipole; they are very simple to make.
Why would you want an extra?
Bruce Hughes
Title: add extra comm antenna
Post by: Spodman on June 19, 2005, 04:15:26 AM
http://www.rst-engr.com/rst/catalog/airplane_antenna.html to buy the gear and instructions. Probably in your catalogue as well. I believe the Vari fin is tight to fit a com antenna on? Leave 'outside' stuff for the spam cans
Title: answer
Post by: pushyhog on June 19, 2005, 10:42:07 PM
plane is flying, want something easy
Title: extra com antenna
Post by: Bruce Hughes on June 20, 2005, 09:06:17 AM
Hi. Because we have plastic airplanes, we can put a dipole antenna anywhere it will fit. Try putting it on the outside, against the body somewhere. Orient it with one end forward. Under the belly? All you have to do is remove a little paint, drill one hole, flox it on, cover with one layer of glass, and repaint. Easy.
Don't mess with a quarterwave antenna which requires a groundplane.
Bruce Hughes
Title: add extra comm antenna
Post by: Glenn S on June 21, 2005, 06:51:33 PM
I'm using a "rubber duckie" antenna with an aluminum strip acting as the ground plane. The ground plane is about 19 inches long and 1.25 inches wide, bolted to the back of the pilot seat with nylon spacers between the seat and the strip. I was talking to a plane over 150 miles away this past weekend. In case my panel mount com goes bad, I just reach behind me and unscrew the antenna out and put it in my handheld. Total cost of the antenna was under $25. By the way, we tested it on the meter and got 6 watts out and 0 back Regards Glenn Saunders Rotax Turbo VE N914VE
Title: add extra comm antenna
Post by: Dan Patch on June 21, 2005, 07:45:15 PM
I was talking to a plane over 150 miles away this past weekend. By the way, we tested it on the meter and got 6 watts out and 0 back...
Wow, now that's impressive! That's a creative idea I haven't heard discussed anywhere else before! Gotta check it out, almost too good to be true. :D
Best,
Title: for glen saunders
Post by: pushyhog on June 23, 2005, 08:49:42 AM
south fla., friend this is pushyhog (mike) please call me @cell 910 257 7322 north carolina. i'll call u back! love the antenna idea
Title: nother ? glen saunders
Post by: pushyhog on June 23, 2005, 08:53:39 AM
how to hook cable to alum. plate??? do u need teriods and soider, etc???